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Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho has reportedly told friends that former manager Louis van Gaal is to blame for the club’s current situation.

It’s been a nightmare period for the Red Devils, as they have slipped to three defeats in eight days, suffering losses against Manchester City, Feyenoord and Watford.

In turn, the criticism of Mourinho and his players has ramped up a level or two, but according to The Mirror, the Portuguese tactician isn’t ready to take the blame for the dip in form.

According to the report, he has told friends that the players are ‘still hindered by the rigid style of play under Van Gaal’, despite the fact that it’s now been three months since he started working with them.

It didn’t seem to deter their progress too much at the start of the season, but with results slipping, it’s now been suggested by Mourinho that old habits are still holding his side back.

It’s added that Mourinho accepts that certain players are confused over being tasked with different styles and mentalities from the Van Gaal era, with his full-backs for example being asked to push forward instead of passing inside.

However, he is apparently confident that they will adapt to his style of play, but he accepts that it will take time to get them playing consistently well and shedding the shackles placed on them last season.

United face Northampton in the EFL Cup on Wednesday night, and although he’s expected to make changes to his starting line-up, Mourinho can ill-afford to lose another game.

Other issues have come into play this season which have hindered his side’s progress, but ultimately the finger-pointing isn’t going to help and he is now the man under pressure to ensure that things take a positive turn sooner rather than later.